Which Term Limits Apply? Niles Seeks Answer

Update: The village sent out a notice saying Mayor Callero decided to make this meeting a closed session. That means it is not open to the public.

Niles has a very unusual legal situation on its hands--and one which may have no precedent in Illinois. The village board will meet Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at village hall to explore the situation.

In the April 9 election, voters passed two different referendums on term limits. The petition version limits an individual's public service on the Niles board to 16 years (the equivalent of four four-year terms). The author intended for it to be retroactive. If that were the case, Mayor-elect Andrew Przybylo would have to step down, because he has already served 24 years.

Earlier:

The ordinance version of the referendum says an individual may serve three terms as trustee and an additional two as mayor, and it starts from the present time on. 

At Tuesday's meeting, Trustee Rosemary Palicki said she hopes Village Attorney Joe Annunzio will enlighten the board on the legal issues in hopes of determining which version of the referendum will be applicable.

Palicki said it's not clear whether the Niles board has the authority to decide the question, and if not, who would.

"Joe will have some information to present at that time," she said. "We wanted the board members who implemented that ordinance to have some say in determining that.

"Since we are coming up to the installation of new officials, we should be installing them with certainty, and not have a cloud hanging over this," she added.

The village is scheduled to install the three newly-elected trustees and mayor on May 14. 

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